Profile for msewwhat - Threads

msewwhat

My favorite thing that I made was a hoodie for my 11 year old grandson. The fleece material featured his favorite football team with contrasting sleeves.
He said his teacher commented on it in class and he had a chance to share how much he appreciated the effort his Grandma put into sewing it. I was thrilled !

My favorite fabric to sew is rayon. The feel is like suede yet so easy to sew and manipulate and doesn't slip and slide. It can be washed and dried in the machine so it is easy to care for. It wears like a dream because of its softness next to the skin. It has a beautiful drape that skims the body and makes it look fabulous and flowing. If you haven't tried it yet I encourage you to do so.

I can appreciate the quality that must have gone into the making of these instruction DVD's as I have followed Louise Cutting on shows such as "Sewing With Nancy," "America Sews with Sue Hausmann" and "Martha's Sewing Room."

Even if I don't win this contest I plan on ordering some DVD's because it gives me the freedom to watch specific techniques again and again until I "get it." Also, I totally appreciate Louise Cutting's way of explaining sewing techniques with concise and clear instructions. I like the way she shares techniques she has learned through trial and error. She has been sewing for a long time and has a lot of experience to share.

I am very excited about the prospect of having so much information available as an "insider" on the Threads website. I would definitely make use of all these avenues to learn the best and newest short cuts and sewing tips and tricks.

However, what I think would put it over the edge would be access to the books offered on your site. I would like to be able to look through, maybe the first 10 pages of the book to determine if it will fit my needs. I would probably buy more books if I could browse through them first.

There is sooooo much in this magazine that appeals to me! With Spring just around the corner I am planning to sew several pairs of capris from a store bought pattern. Looking forward to "Denim Detail" giving me some inspiration in the creation of my new capris. The "Express Pocket" may be just the extra detail I need to make my capris couture perfect! I hope to use "Easy Ease" to help me get a well fitted look by altering the "ease" in the patterns for a better fit. I always look for more efficient ways to use my sewing machine so "Stellar Machine Features" is definitely on my list. I am looking forward to getting some tips on how to best use my rotary cutter with, "Get on a Roll." "Serging Secrets" will give me some tips on using my serger in more creative ways. I have always wanted to "copy cat" a pattern which I hope to finally learn in "Copy That."
I have been scouring my local fabric shop, Fry's magazine rack and others for this magazine to no avail. I would use every article in it and make you proud!

I made a stocking for each of my 4 grandchildren. The two boys are aged 9 and 15. I used gray fleece for the stocking and their favorite football team's fleece for the cuff. I embroidered their names and a couple of snowflakes in silver metallic thread on the cuff and then sewed gold and silver star buttons to it. I stuffed the stockings with candy, fruit strips and other fun stuff.
The two girls are aged 9 and 6. I made a fleece floral stocking and off white cuff embroidered with their names and a couple of snowflakes in gold metallic thread.I used gold sari fabric to make each a drawstring bag which I put a boxed necklace in and stuffed that along with candy into the stocking.
I also made my 9 year old grandson a team fleece hoodie from a free pattern I found online.
I love sewing for my grandchildren. I look forward to it each year. The looks on their faces when they saw those stockings was priceless!

There's something about seeing the techniques on video that makes the "light bulb" switch on for me. I won the first season of "Teach Yourself to Sew" and it is used a lot by me. I love the chapter indexes that allow me to go right to the subject I need immediately without watching the whole thing. Thank you "Threads and to Judith Neukam who makes it all look so easy.

I am planning on sewing winter hats and mittens for my four grandchildren. I have a Singer Futura embroidery machine and the grands love to have a special design and their initials embroidered on them. I select designs that match each child's interests. I will use anti pill fleece that is on sale at Joann Fabrics for 50% off.

Many years ago, when I was a girl, my aunt worked as a seamstress in a sewing factory. On her visits to our home my aunt always brought along plenty of "stuff" she couldn't use anymore. We were a family of twelve so nothing she brought over went unused. On one of her visits she brought along a couple of sewing machines she no longer used. One was a Singer that my older sister Carol "adopted" as hers. My sister left home for college and took that machine with her and sewed a lot of her own clothes as a way to save money. I still remember a dress she made for me, it was a simple pillowcase dress made of green material. I loved that dress and decided right then that I was going to buy myself a Singer machine when I grew up.

In 2008 my husband purchased the Singer Futura embroidery machine. I have been sewing just about everyday since! It is a lovely machine that can do just about everything!

For me, color is a personal choice. I do however, love to see what the "designers" have come up with season after season, colorwise. When purchasing clothing styles I try to find items in colors that I love or at least that look flattering on my skin tone.
I tend to choose fabrics in teals, chocolates and taupes so I was glad to see these incorporated into the Fall 2011 color line. Choosing a color I love to wear is very important to me as it can influence my mood either for the good or the better.

I purchased the magazine, "Teach Yourself to Sew" and then actually won the DVD set. Since I then had two copies of the magazine I shared one with my dentist. She called it the "Betty Crocker of sewing books." I have to agree the magazine is for anyone who sews. It offers new and basic techniques for the beginner and new and refresher techniques for the more experienced sewer.

I would love to have a copy of the book, "Threads Sewing Guide," to add to my collection. It would never collect dust because I use my reference materials on a daily basis.
Thank you Threads, for all of your inspirational ideas and tips!

I am searching for ideas of inspiration for a table runner. I bought some beautiful material at a discount home fabrics store. It is the color of freshly whipped cream with stripes of shiny and matte material.

I also have a sun hat on the drawing board and a new dress pattern my husband helped pick out.

I have a full agenda of spring projects but wouldn't mind adding others as the bug bites me. I am hoping the new Sewstylish magazine will be an inspiration!

I have two granddaughters aged 6 and 8. I would use this book to sew beautiful dresses for them. I recently introduced my Grands to hand sewing, a way of sharing one of my favorite things. I would let them help me construct these dresses as a way of deepening their love and understanding of the sewing process. To me, sewing is not just about the process and project but it goes much deeper, it is a way of giving a part of myself to the project I'm working on. It is a way of sharing a part of myself whenever I create something on the sewing machine.

I bought a gently used book entitled "Kids Can Quilt." I browsed through it, looking for a quick and easy sewing project for my grandchildren, because I like to plan a supervised activity for them when they visit. I saw a cute little pin cushion shaped like a lady bug. This required using flannel fabric and simple whip stiches to complete. To my surprise all three children ages 5, 8, 8 (twins) were thrilled to "sew" this project. Our visit flew by and the highlight was our "sewing" project. It was the first time any of them had ever held a needle and thread. Needless to say I can't wait for our next "sewing lesson"/visit.

I absolutely love the bag pattern you created! The fact that you made the straps part of the bag and attached them to the bottom allows the straps to support the weight of the bag and the straps will not tear away from the bag. I love the fabric you chose as well as the contrasting handles.

I chose magazine number 2 because it was attractive and colorful. I also like to have all the instructions inside the magazine for a project so I don't have to go out and buy a pattern. The projects listed on the cover seemed quick and doable to me.